Elements of Dishonesty

Caveat: Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.

This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.) 

1. the benefit one stand to gain from the crime
2. the probability of getting caught
3. the expected punishment if one is caught.

Compare the first with the last two to determine whether committing a particular crime is worth it or not. 

This is extracted from the research done by Dr. Dan Ariely and written in the book, “The Honest Truth About Dishonesty.” Just as an FYI, I am about 1/3 the way through that book. I found the book from a documentary trailer and my interest was tickled. I wondered if the elements held any sway over conflict, violence and violent conflict. This means this article is totally and completely personalized theory based on personal thoughts, perceptions and perspectives from my culturally driven environmental perspectives due to exposure and experience of external influences, data, and theories, etc. In other words, my mindless meanderings in an effort to learn and understand the world around me. 

First, do I believe that the benefit to self will influence me whether criminal or non-criminal in nature? Yes.
Second, do I believe that getting caught if it involved some nefarious thing be it criminal, non-criminal or of legal repercussions is important? Yes.
Third, do I believe that the possibility of punishment, be it self-applied or socially applied or legally applied, etc., keeps me from taking that step? Yes.

What does this mean because although I know the chances of getting caught in the act are high in self-defense. Matter of fact, it is incumbent upon me to reach out if I have used self-defense because I believe that is the proper course to take in such instances. I do believe the benefit of self-defense within those moral and legal boundaries is critical and acceptable as to risks. I am more than willing to use any means within those standards to achieve an end to a threat whether it is avoidance, deescalation or even physically applied force in self-defense. 

As to any punishment in the application of self-defense I understand that it all falls to how well I remain within the self-defense square (as presented in the writings of Marc MacYoung in “In the Name of Self-Defense.” ) and that my failure to do so will incur punishment but I am still willing to go there with the goal of not stepping outside the square. 

When thinking of dishonesty I also think of those who break the law all the time and wonder if that action is reached by either a conscious or subconscious process of consideration of these elements. I have understood that criminals do have boundaries due to first, what they have to gain, second, the probabilities of being caught and third, the expected punishments if caught. I think this is a human survival set of elements toward societies elements of dishonesty, crime and violence. 

I am also going to theorize that these three will come into play for everyone who takes a martial art, martial jutsu or martial discipline for fighting, combatives or self-defense. It is one of those areas that must be a part of self-defense training, what Rory Miller presented in his materials as, “Giving yourself permission …” In self-defense the real question may not even involve whether it is or becomes a crime, whether you will or will not get caught and whether you will or will not get punished for your actions. It comes down to will you allow yourself to use that force necessary, AGAINST ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, to stop the threat, end the violence and stop the damage. 

We seem to have a variety of instincts driven by nature as well as social conditioning that can and often do end in the “Freeze (the OO bounce if you will).” You have to give yourself permission and then train toward that goal. 

As to dishonesty/criminal behavior that seems to be a given toward normal human behavior. It may be the basis of our societal driven laws, rules and requirements within that society, its groups and members. If we break the law or give ourselves permission we still have to consider those laws, rules, conditions and requirements as well as other socially driven conditioning in order to act.

Maybe the best use of these elements of dishonesty comes from our training toward remaining within the self-defense square. Maybe we ask these questions as they would relate to our monkey brains driving us to do things that would involve the elements. We need to address such questions before self-defense for during self-defense may be too late and you will end up way, way outside the square. 

Primary Bibliography of Self-Defense (Some titles have RBC drills included):
MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.

Bibliography Articles on Self-Defense/Conflict/Violence

The main page leading to the articles I have chosen as a starting point to attain knowledge of conflict, violence and self-defense is: http://ymaa.com/articles/society-and-self-defense where you can navigate to the below or you can simply find a title below and click for direct access to the articles. Most of these are actually introductions to the references written by the authors themselves. It is advisable to start here then move on to the more in-depth stuff in their publications. This section will get you a beginning understanding necessary in phase one of learning self-defense. 

I.M.O.P. Principle—Intent, Means, Opportunity and Preclusion http://ymaa.com/articles/2014/10/imop-principle-intent-means-opportunity-and-preclusion
Introduction to Violence: Scale of Force Options http://ymaa.com/articles/introduction-to-violence-scale-of-force-options
Facing Violence: The Unconscious Stuff-Finding Your Glitches http://ymaa.com/articles/facing-violence-the-unconscious-stuff
Violence: What Everyone Needs to Know About Fighting http://ymaa.com/articles/violence-what-everyone-needs-to-know-about-fighting

Secondary Bibliography of Self-Defense (Some titles have RBC drills included):
Ayoob, Massad. “Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self-Defense”Gun Digest Books. Krouse Publications. Wisconsin. 2014.
Branca, Andrew F. “The Law of Self Defense: The Indispensable Guide to the Armed Citizen.” Law of Self Defense LLC. 2013.
Goleman, Daniel. "Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition]." Bantam. January 11, 2012.
Miller, Rory. "ConCom: Conflict Communications A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication." Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 2014. 
Miller, Rory and Kane, Lawrence A. "Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision-making under Threat of Violence." YMAA Publisher. New Hampshire. 2012
Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected." YMAA Publishing. 2011.
Miller, Rory. “The Practical Problem of Teaching Self-Defense.” YMAA. January 19, 2015. http://ymaa.com/articles/2015/1/the-practical-problem-of-teaching-self-defense
Elgin, Suzette Haden, Ph.D. "More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 1983.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Last Word on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1995
Morris, Desmond. “Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior.” Harry N. Abrams. April 1979.
MacYoung, Marc. “Writing Violence #1: Getting Shot.” NNSD. Amazon Digital. 2014.
MacYoung, Marc. “Writing Violence #2: Getting Stabbed.”  NNSD. Amazon Digital. 2015.
MacYoung, Marc. “Writing Violence #3: Getting Hit and Hitting.” Amazon Digital Services, inc. NNSD. April 20. 2015. 
Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1993.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Written Self-Defense" MJF Books. 1997.
Maffetone, Philip Dr. “The Maffetone Method: The Holistic, Low-stress, No-Pain Way to Exceptional Fitness.” McGraw Hill, New York. 2000
Strong, Sanford. “Strong on Defense_ Survival Rules to Protect you and your Family from Crime.” Pocket Books. New York. 1996.
and more … see blog bibliography.
Jahn, C. R. “FTW Self Defense.” iUniverse. Amazon Digital Services. 2012
Jahn, C. R. “Hardcore Self Defense.” iUniverse. Amazon Digital Services. 2002.

Bibliography of RBC Drills (Some titles have RBC drills included):
MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.
MacYoung, Marc (Animal). “Taking It to the Street: Making Your Martial Art Street Effective.” Paladin Press. Boulder, Colorado. 1999.
MacYoung, Marc. "A Professional's Guide to Ending Violence Quickly: How Bouncers, Bodyguards, and Other Security Professionals Handle Ugly Situations." Paladin Press. Boulder, Colorado. 1996.
Miller, Rory. “Drills: Training for the Sudden Violence.” Amazon Digital Services, inc. Smashwords. 2011.
Quinn, Peyton. “Real Fighting: Adrenaline Stress Conditioning Through Scenario-Based Training.” Paladin Press. Amazon Digital Services, inc. 1996

My Blog Bibliography
Cornered Cat (Scratching Post): http://www.corneredcat.com/scratching-post/
Kodokan Boston: http://kodokanboston.org
Mario McKenna (Kowakan): http://www.kowakan.com
Wim Demeere’s Blog: http://www.wimsblog.com
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